Wearable belt support device for assisting a handicapped individual

Abstract

A wearable belt support device for use in assisting a handicapped individual including a first looped portion encircling a waist of an assisting individual and having a first interengaging end and a second interengaging end. At least one and preferably two hand hold portions are provided at first and second selected sides of the first looped portion and are capable of being grasped by an assisted individual. The device further includes a second shoulder strap portion extending upwardly from the first looped portion and capable of being resecurably attached at first and second ends to the first looped portion. An optional third neck support portion encircles a neck of the assisting individual and a connecting portion extends from the neck support portion and engages an intermediate location along the second shoulder strap portion.

We claim: 
     
       1. A wearable belt support device worn by an individual assisting a handicapped individual, said support device comprising: a looped portion encircling a waist of an assisting individual, said looped portion including a width adjustment means;   at least one hand hold portion extending from a selected circumferential location along said looped portion; and   a shoulder strap portion extending upwardly from said looped portion and over a shoulder of the assisting individual, said shoulder strap portion securing at first and second ends to further selected circumferential locations along said looped portion, said shoulder strap portion including a height adjustment means;   wherein said hand hold portion is grasped by an assisted individual to facilitate the assisting individual in providing ambulatory support.   
     
     
       2. The wearable belt support device according to claim 1, said looped portion further comprising a first interengaging end and a second interengaging end, said width adjustment means further including means for selectively locating said first interengaging end at specified locations along said second interengaging end. 
     
     
       3. The wearable belt support device according to claim 2, said shoulder strap portion further comprising a first elongate section and a second interconnected elongate section, said height adjustment means further including means for selectively locating an end of said first elongate section at specified locations along said second elongate section. 
     
     
       4. The wearable belt support device according to claim 1, said at least one hand hold portion further comprising a horizontally extending and outwardly projecting handle including first and second ends securing to said looped portion. 
     
     
       5. The wearable belt support device according to claim 4, said at least one hand hold portion further comprising a first handle located at a first side of said looped portion and a second handle located at an opposite and second side of said looped portion. 
     
     
       6. The wearable belt support device according to claim 1, further comprising means for selectively disengaging said shoulder strap portion at said first and second ends from said looped portion, said looped portion further including a first pair of receiving means located at said further selected circumferential locations, a second pair of receiving means being located at yet additional selected circumferential locations, a selected one of said first and second pairs of receiving means being capable of being resecurably engaged by engaging means located on said first and second ends of said shoulder strap portion. 
     
     
       7. The wearable belt support device according to claim 1, further comprising said shoulder strap portion extending in a diagonal fashion across a selected shoulder of the assisting individual. 
     
     
       8. The wearable belt support device according to claim 1, further comprising a third neck support portion encircling a neck of the assisting individual, a connecting portion extending from said neck support portion and engaging an intermediate location along said second shoulder strap portion. 
     
     
       9. A wearable belt support device for use by a first individual in providing guiding support to a second individual, said support device comprising: a looped portion encircling a waist of the first individual, said looped portion including a width adjustment means;   at least one hand hold portion extending from a selected circumferential location along said looped portion;   a shoulder strap portion extending upwardly from said looped portion and over a shoulder of the first individual, said shoulder strap portion securing at first and second ends to further selected circumferential locatioins along said looped portion, said shoulder strap portion including a height adjustment means; and   means for selectively disengaging said shoulder strap portion at said first and second ends from said looped portion, said looped portion further including a first pair of receiving means located at said further selected circumferential locations, a second pair of receiving means being located at yet additional selected circumferential locations, a selected one of said first and second pairs of receiving means being capable of being resecurably engaged by engaging means located on said first and second ends of said shoulder strap portion, said engaging means comprising snap engagement portions situated upon said shoulder strap, said first and second pairs of said receiving means further comprising snap receiving portions situated upon said looped portion;   wherein said hand hold portion is grasped by the second individual to facilitate the first individual in providing the guiding support.   
     
     
       10. A wearable belt support device for use in assisting a handicapped individual, said support device comprising: a looped portion encircling a waist of an assisting individual, said looped portion including a width adjustment means;   at least one hand hold portion extending from a selected circumferential location along said looped portion;   a shoulder strap portion extending upwardly from said looped portion and over a shoulder of the assisting individual, said shoulder strap portion securing at first and second ends to further selected circumferential locations alond said looped portion, said shoulder strap portion including a height adjustment means;   a neck support portion encircling a neck of the assisting individual, a connecting portion extending from said neck support portion and engaging an intermediate location along said shoulder strap portion; and   wherein said hand hold portion is grasped by an assisted individual to facilitate the assisting individual in providing ambulatory support.   
     
     
       11. The wearable belt support device according to claim 10, wherein said looped portion, said shoulder strap portion and said neck support portion are all further constructed of a flexible leather material. 
     
     
       12. The wearable belt support device according to claim 10, said neck support portion further comprising a first interengaging end and a second interengaging end, adjustment means being provided for securing said first interengaging end along selected locations of said second interengaging end. 
     
     
       13. The wearable belt support device according to claim 10, further comprising means for releasably securing said connecting portion of said neck support portion from said shoulder strap portion. 
     
     
       14. The wearable belt support device according to claim 10, wherein said looped portion, said shoulder strap portion and said neck support portion are all further constructed of a flexible vinyl material.